On July 15, 2025, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a special exception to permit the establishment of a metal refining operation at an existing industrial warehouse building in Lorton for the purpose of producing gold bullion for retail and commercial use. This will be Fairfax County’s first metal refining operation in collective memory. The site incorporates a 3,000-square-foot leased space at the Newington Business Center on Terminal Road, with minimal exterior modifications needed to accommodate the heavy industrial use.  

Many hours were needed to educate County staff, the general public, and policy makers on what is involved with the metal refinement process. Working closely with the operator, Lynne Strobel and Bernard Suchicital meticulously explained the handling of pre-processed gold concentrates and the smelting process to produce 24 karat gold bars. More importantly, in-depth conversations were held at multiple community meetings to reassure the public that all precautionary measures will be in place for pollution control, mitigation of emissions, and security. Environment controls include the utilization of dust collectors, air scrubbers, and a wastewater treatment system. Once formally established, the gold refinement facility will expand the industrial portfolio for Fairfax County into a new direction – further validating the importance of maintaining and promoting industrial uses in Northern Virginia.  

Photo source: Eastman Mineral, Inc. website www.eastmanminerals.com/eastmanrefinery.html